Jurriën Timber, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke are three big names in the Arsenal that has stormed forward on all fronts this season.
They are also religious and open about their faith. Over time, it has become a tradition for them to pray together before matches, writes The Athletic in an article reproduced by the Danish news agency Ritzau.
Arsenal fans have long called Christian duo Timber and Saka the "Bible Brothers." Saka has said that the Bible he once received from his father is one of his most cherished possessions.
“A big part of my life”
The national team player often reads a passage from the Bible before going to bed.
"Religion is a big part of my life. I have a strong belief in God. Reading the Bible helps me learn more and more about God. I try to memorize the messages and what they mean to me so I can use them in my life," he said in an interview with GQ a few years ago.
Saka and Timber are far from the only ones in Arsenal's religious community.
Noni Madueke has been involved since joining from Chelsea in the summer. He says several players meet before each match to study the Bible and pray.
“Closer to each other”
"It's great that we have a squad that is not ashamed of it. We think it gives us a big boost that we are not alone when we go out on the pitch. We believe that God is fighting for us. It's great. It brings us closer together. We are close, but I feel it brings us closer together and I hope it continues," Madueke told the Premier League website.
Manager Mikel Arteta appreciates that the players meet to pray together.
"I love it because it ties them together more. The fact that some of them have the same faith or such a strong faith helps them mentally. I think it's absolutely fantastic," he said, according to The Athletic, at a press conference last fall.
Henrik Skiöld/TT
Facts: This weekend's matches in the Premier League
TT
Tonight: Manchester United–Newcastle.
Saturday: Nottingham-Manchester City, Arsenal-Brighton, Brentford-Bournemouth, Burnley-Everton, Liverpool-Wolverhampton, West Ham-Fulham, Chelsea-Aston Villa.
Sunday: Sunderland–Leeds, Crystal Palace–Tottenham.
